CJLO @ Pouzza Fest 8

The eighth edition of Montreal’s punk music extravaganza, better known as Pouzza Fest, kicked off the festival season over the Victoria Day weekend, taking place outdoor at Quartier des spectacles and indoors at several establishments centered around the area.

This year’s fest featured some returning Pouzza alumni like MU330 and The Creepshow, while welcoming some new bands like Reel Big Fish and Face to Face. Punk music has always been known for its political message, and War on Woman and Anti-Flag made sure that fire kept burning at the outdoor stage on Saturday night.

One of the fest’s many highlights was Montreal’s own Grimm Skunk’s performance on Sunday night. The Quartier des spectacles was packed for the local heroes making their long anticipated appearance at Pouzza. Other notables were Get Dead and Brutal Youth; both bands gave it all on the Foufounes stage. A Wilhem Scream’s sold out show was also a hit, which sadly for this reporter started long after the closing of this town’s metro system.

It’s great to see the fest grow larger year after year. Even with the rain on Saturday night, the outdoor stage was still packed with wet eager fans. After three short days of music, comedy—yes, Pouzza Laughs at Theatre Sainte-Catherine—and softball, everyone was left exhausted and wanting more, already waiting to see what number nine has in store.

1. (main picture) MU330 getting their ska on.

2. War On Women made a statement.

3. Shawna Porter lead singer from War On Woman.

4. Anti-Flag closed out the first night of the festival. Justin Sane foreground, Chris Barker middle and Pat Thetic on drums.

5. TJ Maher from the Nashville band Ghost Town Remedy.

6. The Mad Murdocks at Foufounes Electriques.

7. Trevor Keith of the Southern California band Face to Face. Danny Thompson on drums.

8. Pouzza Fest fans.

9. Making a return to Pouzza Fest Kenda “Twisted” Legaspi of The Creepshow.

10. Wasted Potential making the most of their show at Foufs 2.0.

11. Stephen Brodsky and his screaming guitar of the Brooklyn New York band Mutoid Man.

12. A bit of rain Saturday night couldn’t stop the show.

13. Sam King of Get Dead (middle), Tim Mehew on Bass (left) and Scott Powell on drums.

14. Ramones fan Brad Manners of the band School Damage.

15. Quebec rock icons Grimskunk put on a show Sunday night. Peter Edwards left and Vincent Peake on right.